Beyond Spring Branch Business Profile da Gama Canteen

13 New Year’s Solutions: Minimize Your Stuff

By Liz Clearman

While da Gama Canteen, created by RISHI Hospitality (Rick and Shiva Di Virgilio, the culinary powerhouse behind Oporto Fooding House & Wine on West Gray) is located in the Heights, it’s just a quick drive down the Katy Freeway to this casual foodery overlooking the M-K-T hike and bike trail. Prior to da Gama’s grand opening in May of 2021, Rick and Shiva ran the much-loved Queen Vic Pub & Kitchen in Upper Kirby,which closed in 2018 due to unresolved landlord issues. After Queen Vic closed, they found a location in the Heights perfect for their reimagined concept — a Euro-Indian-style restaurant that combined their cultures (Portuguese and Indian) while focusing on natural and organic wines, craft cocktails, a scratch-made kitchen where everything from bread to curry is carefully designed, and freshly ground spices.

The couple met while both working at the original Oporto in the Greenway Plaza area (they opened its Midtown location in 2014), and have been cooking and operating restaurants together for over 15 years. They share an immense love for food, creating unique spaces with an emphasis on design, and sharing and translating their story of blended cultures into hospitality and food. “Our philosophy is to strive for a consistent high-quality and unique product, and to focus on our own originality. We try to take care of our dedicated staff, many of who have been with us for several years. They are the secret to our success. We want to create a pleasant, easygoing workplace, emphasizing hospitality on both sides of the counter,” Rick said.

Heights residents themselves, the Di Virgilios are parents of an eight-year-old son who plays soccer in Spring Branch, and they envisioned da Gama being a favorite of both communities since they’re easily connected by the M-K-T trail. Rick noted that the canteen even has a café window for bikers and hikers to “drive through” for an organic espresso drink or a chai. As if the restaurants don’t keep them busy enough, the family recently welcomed a brand-new black Goldendoodle named Pepe (as in the Italian pasta dish, cacio e pepe) into their family.

Future plans for the foodie couple include developing an urban garden in a property near da Gama, where they will plant specialty produce, herbs, flowers, and more. They also plan to use the plot for events or a food truck pop-up location, expanding their culinary empire even further into their community. “Our biggest inspiration is each other and our eight-yearold son. We enjoy making people happy and hosting life memories for our community,” said Rick.